1. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will appoint a new Cabinet on tomorrow (November 18), following the NPP’s historic two-thirds majority victory with 159 seats in the 2024 Parliamentary Election: Limited to 23–25 ministries, the Cabinet will feature a “scientific allocation” of portfolios: The 10th Parliament’s inaugural session is scheduled for November 21, as per an earlier gazette notification.
   
2. The United National Party (UNP), led by ex-President Ranil Wickremesinghe, decides to contest all upcoming elections under its historic ‘elephant’ symbol: UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena confirms this strategy, aimed at reinforcing party stability and direction: The symbol, central to the UNP’s identity, remains a key element of its voter recognition.
   
3. Leader of the SLPP ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa says the SLPP received its anticipated votes in the election: welcoms the NPP’s rise as a fresh opportunity for leadership: affirms respect for the public mandate, dismisses retirement from politics, and confirms “no current talks” with Ranil Wickremesinghe: expresses sympathy for Wickremesinghe’s electoral outcome while asserting SLPP’s resilience.
   
4. An extraordinary gazette was issued declaring the names of all elected public representatives in the 2024 Parliamentary Election: These include 141 MPs from the NPP, which gained a landslide two-thirds victory, 35 MPs from the SJB, 3 MPs from the NDF, 2 MPs from the SLPP, 7 MPs from the ITAK, 2 MPs from the SLMC, and 6 MPs representing other political parties and groups.
   
5. Ambika Samuel, the first woman Tamil MP representing the plantation community living in line rooms elected through the new ruling party NPP, calls for greater youth and women’s involvement in politics: views her entry as a breakthrough for young talent from the plantation sector and advocates for breaking societal limitations, enabling more women to rise to leadership roles in Parliament and beyond: Samuel has been a strong critic against the traditional Tamil political giants in the upcountry region, calling for renaissance by breaking the wheel of corrupt politics.
   
6. The 2024 General Election saw a 10% drop in voter turnout compared to September’s Presidential Election, with 68.93% participation and 5% of ballots rejected (667,240 votes): Of 11,815,246 votes cast, 11,148,006 were valid: Election Commissioner Saman Sri Rathnayake stressed compliance with expense report submission and clarified national list MP eligibility, noting 3.5 million citizens abstained in the Presidential poll.
   
7. Sri Lanka’s 2024 Parliamentary Election set a record with 21 women elected, surpassing the previous high of 13: The National People’s Power (NPP) secured 19 seats, including Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) won two: Additionally, the NPP plans to appoint three women via its national list, marking progress in women’s political representation.
   
8. The Railways Department arranges special train services on November 17 and 18 to facilitate post-election and long weekend travel to Colombo: These include routes between Colombo Fort and key cities like Badulla, Kandy, and Matara, alongside regular schedules: The Samudra Devi will depart Matara at 3:50 a.m., with office trains running as usual.
   
9. USS Michael Murphy of the United States Navy arrives at the port of Colombo on a replenishment visit: The Sri Lanka Navy welcoms the visiting ship in compliance with naval traditions: The 155.2m – long Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer is manned by a crew of 333 and is commanded by Commander Jonathan B. Greenwald: set to depart the island today (17).
   
10. The Constitutional Council confirms Justice Murdu Fernando as Sri Lanka’s Chief Justice, the second woman in the role after Shirani Bandaranayake in 2011: With over 30 years at the Attorney General’s Department, Fernando rose through key legal ranks before becoming a Supreme Court Justice in 2018: She initially took oath as Acting Chief Justice in October 2024.

November 16, Colombo (LNW): Manjula Gajanayake, Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies (IRES), stated that Thursday’s Parliamentary Election results symbolize the electoral mandate of the March 2022 youth uprising, the ‘Aragalaya.’

Gajanayake noted that this marks the first time a single political party has secured a two-thirds majority in Parliament since Sri Lanka adopted the preferential electoral system in 1989, a feat he described as highly challenging under the current system.

He attributed the National People’s Power (NPP) party’s overwhelming success to its steadfast refusal to accept political crossovers and its inclusive policies, which resonated with Sri Lankans across all communities—irrespective of caste, creed, or ethnicity. The NPP became the first party to win voter confidence nationwide, spanning the North, South, East, and West.

Gajanayake urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to prioritize long-overdue constitutional reforms, which he said are eagerly anticipated by the people.

November 16, Colombo (LNW): Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended his congratulations to Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday following the National People’s Power (NPP) party’s decisive victory in Thursday’s Parliamentary Election.

“This is a testament to the confidence and trust that the people of Sri Lanka have reposed in his vision and leadership,” the Pakistani Prime Minister stated in a message posted on X (formerly Twitter).

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening its close and enduring ties with Sri Lanka, which are rooted in mutual respect, shared values, and a history of cooperation.

In response, President Anura Kumara expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Sharif and assured that his government would continue to collaborate with Pakistan to strengthen the bilateral relationship for the mutual benefit of the two nations and their peoples.

November 16, Colombo (LNW): The Indian High Commission in Colombo marked Ill Poya Day yesterday by presenting the tenth edition of its mobile Buddhist exhibition at the Hendala Purana Raja Maha Viharaya in Hendala, Wattala, Gampaha.

This exhibition celebrates India’s rich Buddhist heritage through a series of photographs depicting key episodes from the life of the Buddha and showcasing renowned Buddhist pilgrimage sites across India, including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Ladakh, Andhra Pradesh, and Kashmir.

The initiative, launched earlier this year on Navam Poya at the Kalutara Bodhi premises, has brought its message of spiritual and cultural connection to numerous Buddhist temples across Sri Lanka. Notable locations include Sri Sambodhi Maha Vihara Temple in Colombo, Parama Dhamma Chethiya Pirivena in Ratmalana, and Dharmaraja Pirivena in Matale.

As the exhibition reaches its tenth stop in Wattala, it continues to receive enthusiastic responses from devotees, highlighting the deep spiritual and cultural ties between India and Sri Lanka. The series serves as a testament to the shared heritage of the two nations, fostering stronger people-to-people connections and mutual understanding.

November 16, Colombo (LNW): United National Party (UNP) Chairman Vajira Abeywardena highlighted the unprecedented trust shown by voters in the North toward a political party from the South during the 2024 Parliamentary Election, calling it a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s electoral history.

“This is a very special occasion. For the first time, people in the North have placed trust in a southern political party, despite the presence of various regional parties in the North and East,” Abeywardena said.

He noted that representatives from the North joining the Cabinet as active participants in governance marks a promising step forward for national unity. “This is a victory for all Sri Lankans, and we express our happiness about it,” he added.

Abeywardena pointed out that, historically, Tamil leaders in the Cabinet represented their own parties, with Minister Douglas Devananda being an example, but not as part of a southern political party.

Looking ahead, Abeywardena mentioned plans for the UNP to contest the upcoming Local Government Election independently under the elephant symbol, avoiding coalitions. He acknowledged the low voter turnout in the recent election, attributing it to members of defeated parties and their unmet expectations.

The UNP Chairman commended the historic victory of the current President and his government, stating it creates a unique opportunity to address the nation’s challenges. “The government now has the responsibility to use this powerful mandate for the betterment of all 22 million Sri Lankans. There is no longer room to say it cannot be done,” he asserted.

Abeywardena emphasized the importance of tackling domestic and international challenges, urging Sri Lankans to allow the government the space to fulfill its promises. “We must wait and see how they deliver on the hope they have given to the people,” he concluded.

November 16, Colombo (LNW): The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) acknowledged the people’s decision in the 2024 Parliamentary Election and expressed readiness to fully cooperate with the new government in the interest of the nation.

SJB Chairman and former Minister Imtiaz Bakeer Markar recognized the unprecedented mandate given to the National People’s Power (NPP) and emphasized the importance of fulfilling the promises made during the election campaign.

“There are many expectations behind this decision, and it is imperative for the government to endeavor to transform these expectations into reality,” Bakeer Markar said.

He expressed hope that the NPP government would prioritize easing the economic burden on the public and steering the country toward sustainable development. “We trust that the NPP government will provide effective solutions to the economic crisis and guide the nation onto the right track,” he added.

November 16, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organizer Namal Rajapaksa conceded defeat in the 2024 Parliamentary Election and extended his congratulations to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on the National People’s Power (NPP) party’s decisive win.

In a message posted on X, Rajapaksa acknowledged the NPP’s victory as a reflection of the people’s choice for a new path and fresh approach. “Wishing you success as you accept the people’s mandate and work toward the change they have sought. This marks a new path and a fresh approach chosen by the people,” he stated.

Rajapaksa reaffirmed the SLPP’s commitment to its values and to its supporters, emphasizing the importance of healthy political competition. “We remain committed to the values our supporters stand for, those who voted for us, and those who believe in our vision. We will continue to stand with you and uphold these principles,” he added.

November 16, Colombo (LNW): The BOI is in the process of turning the existing factories and the coming industries in the future into environmentally-friendly green industries. 

Thus, the BOI has started the process of converting several investment promotion zones into green industrial zones. Indsignals under the purview of the BOI are currently in the process of upgrading the machinery used in their factories to minimize the quantum of carbon emission released to the environment. 

Approval is considered by the BOI only for the use of environmentally-friendly machines for industries under the BOI, with proper guidance according to regulations.

In addition, the Environment Management Department of BOI has taken steps for internship training to be provided for students of the Faculty of Technology in collaboration with the University of Jayawardenepura, Sri Lanka, with the express intent of providing theoretical and practical knowledge to new professionals entering the environment management field.

The team that completed the internship of the Environment Management Department presented their research outcomes conducted based on the BOI industries at the BOI Auditorium recently. The Director General of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka Renuka M. Weerakoone chaired this proud event, and all internal department heads of BOI participated.

The Director General Renuka M. Weerakoone who spoke here, stated that the research, knowledge, and concepts of these new professionals are more important for sustainable industrial development. 

She also underscored the importance of incorporating this knowledge into the work of the BOI, and stressed the effectiveness of providing such experiences to future professionals.

This theoretical, practical, and research training for the internship students focused on several detailed aspects that are highly relevant and significant to the industrial sector in Sri Lanka. 

During this conference, guidelines to assess industrial boiler fuels for sustainable boiler operations, the development of a green rating system for a sustainable industrial zone, the calculation of the water footprint for optimising the organic latex mattress manufacturing industry were presented by the internship students of the Environment Management Department of the BOI., 

 They also displayed  the way in enhancing the calorific value and palletisation of biologically treated sludge for sustainable energy production, and assessing and reducing the carbon footprint of organic rubber mattress manufacturing—a comprehensive life cycle analysis.